Tsanfleuron-Sanetsch alpine karst system, water availability under climate change
Leaders: Philippe Renard, Tanguy Racine, Manon Trottet (University of Neuchâtel)
Overview: The Tsanfleuron-Sanetsch area has been heavily studied over the last 15 years by various researchers. Spanning elevations of 1600 to 2900 m above sea level, the karstic aquifer is overlain in its upper part by the retreating Tsanfleuron glacier. One major outlet of the aquifer, the Glarey spring, is used for the water supply of the city of Conthey (VS). To protect the water from potential contamination and to understand the possible evolution of the system in the next decades, the area has been investigated by several teams. The excursion will therefore cover a broad range of disciplines (from geomorphology to the use of low-cost devices for monitoring isotopic signals). Previous results will be summarized, and we will discuss the research currently carried out in the region.
The excursion starts and ends in Neuchâtel. Stops will include a visit to the Glarey spring, and a two-day itinerary from Sanetsch pass across the Tsanfleuron karrenfield, to the glacier itself. We will spend one night at the Prarochet hut (dormitory) where we will have dinner and breakfast. Most of the excursion will consist of hiking in a mountain environment, including off-trail sections on scree, bedrock, and ice.
Difficulty: The difficulty is moderate to high. The excursion requires hiking in an Alpine environment, partly off the hiking tracks and across a glacier, at altitudes ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 meters. Proper mountain shoes providing ankle support as well as adequate hiking gear are needed (backpack — preferably with frame, ample water supply, warm clothes, sunglasses, mountain sticks, sleeping bag liner for the hut, etc.). An insurance covering alpine hiking activities is also required. A detailed packing list will be provided to participants.
Date: Thursday 03/09/26 to Friday 04/09/26
Time: Departure at 8 am from Neuchâtel, return the 4th around 7 pm.
Max number of participants: 20
Cost:
